"What are you doing, Venyrth?" He was outside, racing around, flapping his wings as hard as he could.

I am exercising, he said. There are some very beautiful females around. I should like to catch one when I am old enough. I am starting now, so that when I am an adult, I will be the fastest and strongest, and the most able to catch. Shakaina nodded, smiling. He always had noticed the girls. Especially the brightly coloured or patterned ones. If only he could find one with a male rider. Then it would work out for both of them.

"Well, I'm going back inside. It is much too cold to be out here. You should come in too. I'll brush your hide," she said, setting the trap. He stopped running immediately. He loved to show off. And when she brushed him, his hide glowed in the sun. He loved the way he sparkled when he was freshly cleaned.

Okay. Let's go then.